Nachmere
17-04-2009, 16:56
Hunter family of Gun-Launched Anti-Tank Missiles
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu322/NWIpics_2009/Hunter-1.png
Specifications (125mm version, versions range from 100mm to 165mm):
Total weight: 36kg (with propellant charge/ cartridge)
Warhead: Tandem HEAT, 7kg
Range: 10.000 Meters.
Speed: 400 Meters per second
Time to maximum range: 25 seconds
Guidance: Electro-Optic/IIR seeker, Fire and Forget
Attack modes: Top Attack against tanks, Direct Attack against helicopters.
Penetration: 1000mm RHA after reactive armor
Cost per unit: 17000$
Introduction:
Shortly after release of the Gladiator GLATM (Gun Launched Anti Tank Missile) NPS designers realized that in order to maintain the lethality of tank guns a more advanced system must be produced. Features of the new system had to include all abilities of the Gladiator but also provide a solution to Active Protection Systems so common on modern AFVs. If so, the new missile would have to be a fire and forget, top- attack, tandem charge warhead design, with some sort of system used for defeating the RADAR systems used by most APS systems.
Several solutions were considered for defeating APS systems. These included decoys, jammers and even evasion.
The jammer concept seemed most promising, but there was concern that if the jammer fails to defeat the radar, there is no backup system. Decoy dispensers were considered, but as some APS systems are capable of engaging multiple targets it seemed that decoys might not be useful. In addition a decoy dispenser would consume a lot of space causing a reduction in size of the primary charge. It was then decided to shape the missile so it creates a small RADAR cross section. This would assure that if the APS was not jammed, it would not intercept the missile.
With this concept in mind, NPS set to produce the Hunter GLATGM, which will replace the Gladiator in Nachmere service and in the M.A.C catalog.
Description:
The Hunter has versions for main gun tanks ranging in caliber from 100mm to 165mm. Differences between versions are size related(bigger versions have longer range and penetration), and platform related(Separate load/Semi-Fixed, bearings in rifled guns, etc.).
All versions share these main parts:
1)Sabot: because the missile is not cylindrically shaped, it has a sabot fitting it to the shape of the barrel.
2)Launch propellant load- used to fire the missile from the gun at a muzzle velocity of 400 meters per second. The launch load is simply a reduced load of the standard propellant used for the specific gun.
3)Flight rocket engine- A solid rocket engine which is used to propel the missile to its target.
4)A primary HEAT charge, which is used to penetrate the target.
5)A precursor HEAT charge, used to trigger NERA or ERA plates on the target and clear the way for the main charge.
6)RADAR Jammer- A combined Barrage Jamming and Digital Radio Frequency Memory jammer installed on the front of the missile.
7)Imaging Infra Red Seeker: Used to detect emissions from the target and provide information for guidance. The IIR seeker is cooled by compressed gas.
8)Electronics Package: This includes the processing units that receive target data from the fire control, process data from the IR seeker, and control the flight of the missile.
9)Batteries: Two batteries power the electronics, seeker and servos.
10)Servos and fins: 4 fins are located at the back of the missile each controlled by a servo.
In addition the following modifications must be made to the tank in order to fire the missile:
1)Hunter fire control software installed on the FCS computer.
2)A tiny radio transmitter connected to the FCS computer and thermal sights.
These modifications are offered free of charge to Hunter users. They come as standard on newer NPS AFVs.
RADAR jammer:
The Jammer combines two jamming methods, the first is barrage jamming. The jammer powers up 150 meters above the target and jams in all known frequencies used by APS RADARs. The second is Digital Radio Frequency Memory. When a receiver on the jammer receives the first signal from the APS radar it stops jamming in all frequencies and instead sends a false return to the APS, showing multiple targets at different locations. This causes the APS to expend ammunition while still not intercepting the missile.
Low cross section:
The low cross section of the Hunter is achieved by two main features:
* The missile is shaped to deflect RADAR waves aside and not return them to the RADAR.
* The missile body is made mostly of plastics and is covered in radar absorbent paint.
The returns from the missile are equal to a 12.7mm round up to a 20mm round, depending on the APS RADAR used. This means most APS would not intercept the missile even if the jammer fail to jam them.
Operation (against a target with an APS and Reactive Armor):
The Hunter is loaded into the gun like any other round, by a human or automated loader. When the Hunter is loaded, a micro switch on the missile is pressed. This powers up a tiny radio receiver in the missiles electronics package. The radio transmitter connected to the FCS and thermal sights sends the target azimuth, range and IR image to the missile. The gunner fires the missile via the usual controls. The missile is shot out of the barrel at 400 meters per second and the sabot is discarded. The fins open and the IIR seeker powers up and is immediately cooled by compressed gas. The IIR seeker scans the field and identifies the target. The rocket engine is fired and the missile flies towards the target at 400 meters per second. 350 meters from the target the Hunter climbs to an altitude of 200 meters and then dives to the target. 150 meters above the target the jammer beguines barrage jamming, “blinding” the APS RADAR. The jammer than uses DRFM to deceive the RADAR and causes the APS to fire at several false targets. Even if the jammer fails, the APS is not likely to engage the missile because it does not “look” like a threat. When the missile hits the target, the IR seeker and the jammer are crushed and the precursor charge initiated. The precursor charge triggers NERA or ERA plates on the vehicle. The primary charge than hits the same sport on the armor and penetrates the soft top armor of the vehicle.
Anti-Helicopter mode:
In this mode the missile is fired in the same way as detailed above, but does not engage the target with a top attack. Instead it attacks the target directly, hitting the hottest spot on the helicopter. This mode is used against low flying helicopters, and should not be confused as a full anti-aircraft mode.
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu322/NWIpics_2009/Hunter-1.png
Specifications (125mm version, versions range from 100mm to 165mm):
Total weight: 36kg (with propellant charge/ cartridge)
Warhead: Tandem HEAT, 7kg
Range: 10.000 Meters.
Speed: 400 Meters per second
Time to maximum range: 25 seconds
Guidance: Electro-Optic/IIR seeker, Fire and Forget
Attack modes: Top Attack against tanks, Direct Attack against helicopters.
Penetration: 1000mm RHA after reactive armor
Cost per unit: 17000$
Introduction:
Shortly after release of the Gladiator GLATM (Gun Launched Anti Tank Missile) NPS designers realized that in order to maintain the lethality of tank guns a more advanced system must be produced. Features of the new system had to include all abilities of the Gladiator but also provide a solution to Active Protection Systems so common on modern AFVs. If so, the new missile would have to be a fire and forget, top- attack, tandem charge warhead design, with some sort of system used for defeating the RADAR systems used by most APS systems.
Several solutions were considered for defeating APS systems. These included decoys, jammers and even evasion.
The jammer concept seemed most promising, but there was concern that if the jammer fails to defeat the radar, there is no backup system. Decoy dispensers were considered, but as some APS systems are capable of engaging multiple targets it seemed that decoys might not be useful. In addition a decoy dispenser would consume a lot of space causing a reduction in size of the primary charge. It was then decided to shape the missile so it creates a small RADAR cross section. This would assure that if the APS was not jammed, it would not intercept the missile.
With this concept in mind, NPS set to produce the Hunter GLATGM, which will replace the Gladiator in Nachmere service and in the M.A.C catalog.
Description:
The Hunter has versions for main gun tanks ranging in caliber from 100mm to 165mm. Differences between versions are size related(bigger versions have longer range and penetration), and platform related(Separate load/Semi-Fixed, bearings in rifled guns, etc.).
All versions share these main parts:
1)Sabot: because the missile is not cylindrically shaped, it has a sabot fitting it to the shape of the barrel.
2)Launch propellant load- used to fire the missile from the gun at a muzzle velocity of 400 meters per second. The launch load is simply a reduced load of the standard propellant used for the specific gun.
3)Flight rocket engine- A solid rocket engine which is used to propel the missile to its target.
4)A primary HEAT charge, which is used to penetrate the target.
5)A precursor HEAT charge, used to trigger NERA or ERA plates on the target and clear the way for the main charge.
6)RADAR Jammer- A combined Barrage Jamming and Digital Radio Frequency Memory jammer installed on the front of the missile.
7)Imaging Infra Red Seeker: Used to detect emissions from the target and provide information for guidance. The IIR seeker is cooled by compressed gas.
8)Electronics Package: This includes the processing units that receive target data from the fire control, process data from the IR seeker, and control the flight of the missile.
9)Batteries: Two batteries power the electronics, seeker and servos.
10)Servos and fins: 4 fins are located at the back of the missile each controlled by a servo.
In addition the following modifications must be made to the tank in order to fire the missile:
1)Hunter fire control software installed on the FCS computer.
2)A tiny radio transmitter connected to the FCS computer and thermal sights.
These modifications are offered free of charge to Hunter users. They come as standard on newer NPS AFVs.
RADAR jammer:
The Jammer combines two jamming methods, the first is barrage jamming. The jammer powers up 150 meters above the target and jams in all known frequencies used by APS RADARs. The second is Digital Radio Frequency Memory. When a receiver on the jammer receives the first signal from the APS radar it stops jamming in all frequencies and instead sends a false return to the APS, showing multiple targets at different locations. This causes the APS to expend ammunition while still not intercepting the missile.
Low cross section:
The low cross section of the Hunter is achieved by two main features:
* The missile is shaped to deflect RADAR waves aside and not return them to the RADAR.
* The missile body is made mostly of plastics and is covered in radar absorbent paint.
The returns from the missile are equal to a 12.7mm round up to a 20mm round, depending on the APS RADAR used. This means most APS would not intercept the missile even if the jammer fail to jam them.
Operation (against a target with an APS and Reactive Armor):
The Hunter is loaded into the gun like any other round, by a human or automated loader. When the Hunter is loaded, a micro switch on the missile is pressed. This powers up a tiny radio receiver in the missiles electronics package. The radio transmitter connected to the FCS and thermal sights sends the target azimuth, range and IR image to the missile. The gunner fires the missile via the usual controls. The missile is shot out of the barrel at 400 meters per second and the sabot is discarded. The fins open and the IIR seeker powers up and is immediately cooled by compressed gas. The IIR seeker scans the field and identifies the target. The rocket engine is fired and the missile flies towards the target at 400 meters per second. 350 meters from the target the Hunter climbs to an altitude of 200 meters and then dives to the target. 150 meters above the target the jammer beguines barrage jamming, “blinding” the APS RADAR. The jammer than uses DRFM to deceive the RADAR and causes the APS to fire at several false targets. Even if the jammer fails, the APS is not likely to engage the missile because it does not “look” like a threat. When the missile hits the target, the IR seeker and the jammer are crushed and the precursor charge initiated. The precursor charge triggers NERA or ERA plates on the vehicle. The primary charge than hits the same sport on the armor and penetrates the soft top armor of the vehicle.
Anti-Helicopter mode:
In this mode the missile is fired in the same way as detailed above, but does not engage the target with a top attack. Instead it attacks the target directly, hitting the hottest spot on the helicopter. This mode is used against low flying helicopters, and should not be confused as a full anti-aircraft mode.